Aranda Access to Justice Awards

2014 Award Announced

Presented for the first time in 1999, the Aranda Award honors a judicial officer who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to improving access to our courts and who has significantly improved access for low- and moderate-income Californians.

The Judicial Council, the State Bar, and the California Judges Association cosponsor the award in association with the California Commission on Access to Justice.

The Aranda Award is named in honor of the late Judge Benjamin Aranda III, who was known for his tireless efforts promoting fairness and access in the courts.

Award Criteria

Criteria to be used in the selection of the award recipient include one or more of the following:

Demonstrated dedication to improving access to our judicial system for low- and moderate-income Californians

Demonstrated commitment to increasing the involvement of volunteer attorneys in the representation of the indigent

Successful establishment of a model system for providing assistance to self-represented litigants

Successful establishment of a model cooperative effort with local legal services programs or bar associations designed to improve available representation for low- or moderate-income litigants